CM puts flood damages at Rs 30,000 crore

TNN | Aug 11, 2015, KOLKATA: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee put the flood damages at Rs 30,000 crore while leaving for Delhi for a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled on August 12. 

While leaving the state secretariat Nabanna, Mamata ruled out any political bias over distribution of relief materials to flood victims. The CM said that she would make relief demands for flood-hit districts once she meets the PM. Party sources said that she would also discuss the loan waiver issue, along with provisions of future loans, with the Prime Minister. 

According to sources, the CM will ask the Centre for interim assistance under the National Calamity Relief Fund. The state is yet to receive any assistance under the scheme. 

Notifications have been issued to all the 12 flood-affected districts on the damages and relief works, Mamata said. Task forces have been formed and the situation is being monitored 24 hours. "Besides, all the people's representatives of the party have been asked to conduct a cleaning programme in their respective areas on August 15 in view of the floods," she said. 

Officials said that the CM's visit comes at a time when the Centre is clearing the phase II of the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project in which more than Rs 2,300 crore of World Bank assistance will be shared among six states, including West Bengal. The project components include a cyclone forecasting and warning system and cyclone risk mitigation and capacity building multi-hazard risk management. 

On Saturday, the CM held a meeting at Nabanna with the legislative members of the assembly to discuss on the flood situation, where the opposition placed several demands, including the formation of an all-party committee for relief work. The demand has not been accepted so far.An all-party meeting, though, is scheduled to be held at Nabanna on August 18. 

Since the Centre is yet to sanction Rs 4,500 crore under the backward region grant funds, Mamata might take up the issue with Modi as well. Officials said that out of Rs 7,500 crore allocated, the state has so far received only Rs 3,000 crore.